Norovirus is a virus that commonly causes vomiting and diarrhea in people of all age groups. Norovirus is frequently associated with outbreaks in long-term care homes, retirement homes, daycares and schools.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily and can have serious impacts on people who are more vulnerable, including young children, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions.
Visit Health Canada for detailed information, tools and facts about symptoms, risks and how to prevent, treat and manage illness.
- Wash your hands thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom, before eating or preparing food, as well as prior to entering and leaving a long-term care home, hospital, or daycare.
- Do not handle or prepare food for anyone if you are ill.
- Do not visit anyone in a hospital or long-term care home if you are ill.
- Stay home if you are ill and for a minimum of 48 hours after symptoms stop.
- Carefully clean up vomit and feces, wash or discard anything that was contaminated with vomit or feces, and disinfect all surfaces.
- Clean and disinfect washrooms and all common hand contact surfaces at least once per day with a solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water (i.e. 1 ounce of bleach in 9 ounces of water) if there is someone ill in your home.
- Thoroughly cook shellfish prior to eating.
- Wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly before consumption.
- Get vaccinated and stay up to date on all of your vaccinations, including the annual influenza and the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Clean your hands often, especially if you are sick or caring for someone who is sick.
- Clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub (preferably 70-90% alcohol) for at least 15 seconds.
- Handwashing is particularly important before you eat and is considered a simple measure to prevent the spread of infection.
- Wear a well-fitted mask.
- Individuals should wear a well-fitted mask when feeling ill or providing care to someone who is ill, especially those at higher risk of severe infection.
- Masks should always be changed when they become damp, dirty, or torn.
- Practise physical distancing.
- If you have a respiratory illness avoid crowded spaces and maintain safe distances (2 metres) from others, especially while in public settings.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze using a tissue.
- If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm, not your hands. Throw used tissues into the garbage and clean your hands right away.
- Use disposable gloves when handling blood and bodily fluids, when cleaning cuts and scrapes, or when changing a baby’s diaper in a daycare setting.
- Gloves should be removed after use and should never be re-used. They should only be used once, then put into the garbage. Do not use hand sanitizer on gloves.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces (door handles, light switches, toys, diaper change areas, etc.).
- In your home, daycare, classroom, or office at regular intervals.
- Toys young children put into their mouths should not be shared until they are cleaned.
- Stay home when feeling sick.
- This includes avoiding work, school, daycare, or extra-curricular activities.
- Keep toilets clean.
- Do not share personal items.This includes hairbrushes, toothbrushes, towels, facecloths, utensils, cups, hats, headphones, razors, masks etc.
- Wash school or daycare laundry using detergent and warm water.
- If you operate a daycare, the laundry can be sent home in a plastic bag to be washed.
- Limit contact with wild animals and control pests/insects.
- Follow relevant guidelines on whether you or your child should be excluded from work, school, or daycare.
- Call ahead prior to attending an appointment with your health care provider or walk in clinic, let them know your symptoms.
This page was last updated September 21, 2026